Pencil-sharpener



(Model.)

J. B. BARTLETT.

PENCIL SHARPBNER. 110.430,41?. Patented June 17, 189.0.

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` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J OIIN B. BARTLETT, OF JERSEY CITY, NEIV JERSEY.

PENCIL-SHARPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming pait of Letters Patent No. 430,417, dated June 17, 1890.

Application filed May 28, 1889. Serial No. 312,410. (Model.)

` the same.

It is the object of my invention to provide a pencil-Sharpener of compact form, simple in construction, and economical to make.

The invention includes spring-jaws provided With cutting projections and with spring guiding-prongs, the said jaws being connected to a central support, which separates the jaws, leaving an opening between them for the insertion of the pencil-point, and also gages the depth to which the pencil may be inserted between the jaws.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 is an elevation with one of the springplates moved to one side.

My improved Sharpener, as shown in the accompanying drawings, consists of but three parts-a central supporting piece or frame A, with a spring-plate on each side thereof, carrying the cutters and guiding-prongs. The central frame is provided with a recessed or bifurcated end, which is made of a depth equal to Vv the length of point required on a pencil, so that when the pencil is forced in between the spring-jaws the point of the lead will bear against the bottom of the recess, and thus serve as a gage to allow for the proper amount of cut.

Secured to the frame A, at one end, are the spring plates or jaws D D-one upon each side-and the ends of these plates may be crimped so as to bear upon acorrespondingly ridged portion of the end of the plate A to prevent lateral displacement; or the springplates may be rigidly connected to the frame A. The spring plates or jaws are about equal in length to the frame A, extending a little beyond the ends of said frame, and having Haring ends to provide for the ready insertion of the pencil-point between these jaws. Directly below these flaring ends cuttingtongues a a. are bent inwardly of a width a little less than the width of the recess or slot in the frame A, and these tongues are sharpened, so as to cut away the wood of the pencil when the said pencil is drawn against the cutting-edges. The edges extend inwardly and downwardly, so that as the pencil is vforced in it separates the sprin g-jaws, and the cutting-tongues have no eect; but when the pencil is withdrawn this action brings the wood directly in contact with the cuttingtongues, and the wood is removed thereby. While I have shown these cutting-tongues as in one piece with the spring-plates, it will be understood that they may be made separate and detachably connected, so as to be capable of being replaced when Worn. In order to guide the point of the pencil,I provide yielding tongues c c below the cutters, these tongues extending lengthwise of the plate and formed integral therewith, having their upper ends slightly bent in, so that they act as yielding clamps upon the small end of the pencil. Instead of being made in one piece with the side plates, it will be understood that they may also be made separate, and be attached in any convenient manner. It will be seen that the device may be made very cheaply, and may be put together Without difficulty, making when complete a Very simple but effective device.

rlhe spring-plates, as shown, may be turned to one side or the other by exerting a slight pressure, and thus expose the cutting-tongues to the action of any suitable sharpening device. As the cutting-tongues are intended only to remove the wood, though it is evident that the lead may be sharpened also, I provide a file on the edge of the part A, as shown at d, and the point may loe sharpened by passing it over this serrated surface. Preferably the edges of the plates project slightly beyond the edge of the frame, and thus serve as guides for the pencil-point when applied to the file.

The parts are held together by means of a rivet passing through the spring-plates and the frame. This rivet, as shown, consists of an eyelet; but any form of rivet may be used, and the manner of connecting the parts may be varied, as the workman may iind most convenient.

l. In combination, a pair of elastic plates,

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substantially plain, connected at one end, and having at the other openings opposite each other, with cutters on the front edge of the openin gs inclined rearward.

2. In-combination, the two plates held together at one end and arranged opposite each other and approximately parallel, each of said plates having a cutting-tongue cnt out of it in rear of its forward end, bentinwardly and extending rearwardly, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a central frame, a spring-plate on each side thereof, provided with a cutting-tongue, the frame having a bifurcated nd,and the plates having flaring ends, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the central frame, a spring-plate on each side thereof, having cuttingtongues,and a spring-tongue arranged below the cutting-tongue and adapted to bear on the pencil-point, substantially as described.

5, In combination, a central bifurcated spring-plate on each side thereof, having in- Wardly-extending cutting-tongues, said plates being lnovahly connected to the frame, Whereby they may be swung to one side to allow for the sharpening of the tongue, substantially as described.

-7. In combination with the central frame and the spring-plates having cutters for the Wood of the pencil, serrations on the edge of the frame, substantially as described. Y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' JNO. B. BARTLETT. W'itnesses:

JAMES M. SPEAR, WALTER DONALDSON. 

